Henna Hand Designs Art Lesson: Make a Unique Self-Portrait — Art is Fun Art is Fun henna hand designs art lesson This Henna Hand Designs Art Lesson shows you how to create a unique and unusual self-portrait of your hands! It's a great art project for kids, because it allows them to learn about: other cultures the role of pattern in abstract art how to create abstract patterns how to express themselves in a symbolic way It's also a fun art project for adults for the exact same reasons! First I'll give you a bit of background info about henna, and then launch into the art project. What is henna? Henna is a plant that has been used as a dye since the Bronze Ages, primarily in the Eastern Mediterranean region encompassing Northern Africa, Italy, Spain, and the Middle East. It was also widely used in India, where it is still a popular form of temporary body art to this day. How is henna used? To create a dye for the skin, the henna plant is grounded into a paste with a few other ingredients, which is then applied to the body using a cone-shaped funnel.

The henna must stay undisturbed on the skin for several hours to properly stain the skin, and then it is washed off. Henna designs can last for days or months. In India, henna designs on skin are called mehndi. Henna being applied to a tourist in Rishikesh, India. Photo Credit: McKay Savage Why do people decorate their skin with henna? In many cultures, women have henna decorations applied to their hands and feet for festivals and celebrations. Before a wedding, a bride will have elaborate henna designs drawn onto her hands, arms and sometimes feet. In some regions, the groom will be decorated as well. Henna on the hands of a bride. Photo Credit: Marian Henna decorations have also become popular in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia, where it takes the form of a "temporary tattoo". Henna Hand Designs Art Project In this art project, you'll trace an outline of your hand(s) onto paper and then decorate them with henna designs! This is less messy than trying to apply actual henna on your (or your students') hands, and it allows you to create something that you can keep forever.

(If you want to draw directly on your hands, check out my 128-page book, The Everything Girls Ultimate Body Art Book , which features over 50 step-by-step lessons that you can draw on yourself or your friends!) If you're a teacher, start by showing your students photos of hands decorated with henna, like the ones on this page. Give them a bit of background info about the origins of henna, as well as how and why it's used today. Materials Needed: Pen or marker Paper (As you can see, not that many materials are needed, which is partly why this makes a great classroom project!) Tracing your hand The first step is to trace your hand onto the paper. I recommend using a pencil to outline your hand first, so that you can erase any mistakes. Then go over the outline with a pen or marker. Tip: Be sure to spread your fingers far enough apart so that you can easily get the pencil in between your fingers. Now you can fill your hand with designs and patterns! The patterns and imagery you choose reflect who you are – your personality, your essence, your own unique flair.

By drawing patterns on your hand, you are creating an original self-portrait that captures the essence of who you are! Common motifs found in henna hand designs include: flowers, paisley, tendrils, stars, vines, spirals, leaves, water drops, criss-crosses, waves, and more. I'll show you some of these designs below. You can also totally make up patterns as you go along! If you need a jump-start or a crash course in pattern-making, check out my tutorial on how to draw patterns step by step , where you'll learn how to create patterns off the top of your head. I'll also how you how to draw patterns like this: Drawing henna hand designs You might want to draw your designs with a pencil first, so that you can erase any mistakes - or you can leap right in with a pen or marker. I chose to pencil in my designs first, but you can do it either way. The pen you use can be any color you want! If you want your designs to really look like henna, you might want to choose a brown pen or marker, because henna usually dries to a brownish color.

But you can choose any color you want – pick your favorite color, one that represents you the best! Also, it's ideal to use just one single color for the designs if you want the henna hand designs to truly resemble henna (plus in a classroom it's easier to pass out one marker per student)… but with that said, there are no rules, so you can use a lot of colors if you want – and your Henna Hand Designs Art Project will look just as pretty! It's easiest if you divide up your pattern-making into 3 sections: the fingers, the palm, and the wrist. Here's an example of how all 3 of these sections look after they are decorated with designs: Henna designs on fingers The patterns on your fingers will go from your fingertip to the top of your palm. Here are some ideas to get you started: You can use the same pattern on all fingers, or put a different pattern on each finger. You can also decorate the fingertips with special designs, like flowers, stars or other symbols. Another idea is to draw a ring-like pattern at the base of each finger. See the sample hand below for inspiration.

Here are some more samples of henna tattoo designs for fingers: Henna designs on the palm The palm gives you a wide open space for creative expression. Henna designs on the palm commonly involve an abstract design that emanates out from the center, like a mandala . To create a design like this, pinpoint the center of the palm (or close enough to the center) and start with a dot, a circle, a spiral, a flower, a star… any symbol or image that you like. Then continue adding designs that radiate out from that central point. That's one of the easiest ways to create a mandala , and they happen to look great on palms! Another idea for decorating the palm is to draw something that personally symbolizes you. It could be a particular flower, a bird, a favorite pet, or any object that describes who you are. You don't need to worry about making it look realistic, because henna designs are abstract. This is all about creative expression! Henna designs on the wrist The henna design on the wrist will basically be a horizontal pattern that goes across one side to the other.

Here are some examples of henna wrist designs: If you want to see more ideas for patterns, check out my tutorial on how to draw patterns step by step . In that tutorial I walk you step by step through the process of drawing each of the 4 patterns below, as well as explain the basic concept to making your own patterns, off the top of your head! When it comes to drawing henna hand designs, the possibilities are endless. Be inventive and follow your creative bliss. Everyone will come up with something unique, which makes Henna Hand Designs excellent as a self-portrait project! Remember that your drawing doesn't have to be perfect... it's character that matters here - your character! A note about art materials and variations If you make a purchase via the links below I receive a small commission, which helps support this site . I created my henna hand designs using: a size 01 Prismacolor Premier Fine Line Marker to draw the detailed designs printer paper You can use any type of pen, marker, or paper to create your Henna Hand Design, such as any of the art materials below.

I've also included links to different types of paper you can use to spice up your henna hand – for instance, how would the rustic, natural texture of papyrus set off a henna hand design drawn in sepia, crimson or black? You could also decorate your henna hand designs with glitter, gems, and other goodies. The Everything Girls Ultimate Body Art Book Learn how to draw cool body art doodles like the one below in my 128-page book, The Everything Girls Ultimate Body Art Book, which features over 50 step-by-step lessons! Click here to learn more about The Everything Girls Ultimate Body Art Book! Inspiration for henna hand designs: There are many sources on the Internet for henna designs, henna patterns, and artists who are inspired by henna. Stephanie Smith is an artist who avidly creates mandalas, and sometimes "handalas", like the one shown in her sketchbook on the left! You can read about Stephanie's mandala art here and see more of her artwork on her website .

To find more samples of henna tattoo designs, do a Google Image Search for "henna hand designs" and you'll come up with many examples of henna tattoo designs (both photos and drawings) to get your creative juices flowing. Here are two sources you can look at for henna designs: Check out this henna hand designs gallery to see samples of henna tattoo designs. Here is an excellent henna resource , with a page of free PDF downloads that include tons of samples of henna tattoo designs. Henna & Mehndi Books When you make purchases through my affiliate links I get a small commission that helps support this site ! Mehndi: The Timeless Art of Henna Painting Henna Floral Tattoos History of Henna « HennaArt Connection Archives A sample text widget Etiam pulvinar consectetur dolor sed malesuada. Ut convallis euismod dolor nec pretium. Nunc ut tristique massa. Nam sodales mi vitae dolor ullamcorper et vulputate enim accumsan. Morbi orci magna, tincidunt vitae molestie nec, molestie at mi. Nulla nulla lorem, suscipit in posuere in, interdum non magna.

History of Henna The history and origin of Henna is hard to trace with centuries of migration and cultural interaction it is difficult to determine where particular traditions began. There is very persuasive evidence that the Neolithic people in Catal Huyuk, in the 7th millennium BC, used henna to ornament their hands in connection with their fertility goddess. The earliest civilizations to have used henna include the Babylonians, Assyrians, Sumerians, Semites, Ugaritics and Canaanites. The earliest written evidence that mentions henna specifically used as an adornment for a bride or woman’s special occasion is in the Ugaritic legend of Baal and Anath, inscribed on a tablet dating back to 2100 BC, found in northwest Syria. Henna has also been used extensively in southern China and has been associated with erotic rituals for at least three thousand years, during the ancient Goddess cultures. The use of Henna in the 4th-5th centuries in the Deccan of western India is clearly illustrated on Bodhisattvas and deities of cave wall murals at Ajanta, and in similar cave paintings in Sri Lanka.

The evidence proves henna usage in India seven centuries before the Moghul invasion, and hundreds of years before the inception of the Islamic religion, which began in the mid-7th century AD. The word Henna has its origin in the Arabic word Al-Hinna. In botanical terms it is Lawsonia Enermis, a plant which grows to be 4 to 8 feet high in hot climates and can be found in Iran, Pakistan, Syria, Persia, Morocco, Palestine, Yemen, Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Senegal, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and India. The leaves, flowers and the twigs of the plant are ground into fine powder containing natural dying properties called tannins; the powder is then mixed with hot water. Various shades are procured by mixing henna with the leaves and fruit of other plants, such as indigo, tea, coffee, cloves and lemon. The resulting paste is often used as a hair dye. During hot weather, henna acts as a cooling agent when applied to the palms of the hands and the bottoms of the feet. When used in decorative body art, sugar and oil are also added to the mixture to strengthen the color and longevity of design.

While henna is known by many names including Henne, Al-Khanna, Jamaica Mignonette, Egyptian Privet and Smooth Lawsonia, the art of its application is referred to as Henna (Arabic) or Mendhi (Hindu). Centuries of migration and cultural interaction make the task of determining henna’s exact origin a complex one. However, historians argue that henna has been used for at least 5,000 years in both cosmetic and healing capacities. Some researches argue henna originated in ancient India while others claim it was brought to India by Egyptian moghuls in the 12th century C.E. Still others will contend that the tradition of applying henna to the body began in the Middle East and North Africa in ancient times. Archaeological research indicates henna was used in ancient Egypt to stain the fingers and toes of Pharaohs prior to mummification. But research also argues the Pharaohs were not the only Egyptians to use henna. Ancient Egyptians and many indigenous and aboriginal people around the world believed that the naturally derived red substances of ochre, blood and henna had qualities that improved human awareness of the earth’s energies.

It was therefore applied to help people keep in touch with their spirituality. Ani, a mummified scribe (1400BC), had fingernails stained with henna. There are also several medieval paintings depicting The Queen of Sheba decorated with henna on her journey to meet Solomon. Ancient and Traditional, Henna has been used for centuries for body decoration. Ancient Egyptians used henna prior to mummification. People all over the world continue to use henna, primarily for cosmetic purposes. However, in countries where henna is rooted in historical tradition, members of the working class more commonly apply henna for medicinal and healing purposes, as well as connection to Spirit. In Cairo, Egypt, for example, many working class citizens had their hands and feet dipped in henna to produce a solid covering, which differs from the common decorative design that is usually applied for weddings and other celebrations. As a healing plant, henna conditions, cleanses, colors and cools the skin. When applied to hair, it has the same effect. Millions of Asian and African people regularly apply henna to their hair. In these regions, henna is inexpensive, readily available, and helps to cool the scalp in the hot summer months.

Throughout time henna has been associated with special celebrations. Betrothals, weddings, the eighth month of pregnancy, the birth, the 40th day after a woman gives birth, naming ceremonies, etc, are all events celebrated with henna. Eids, and other religious holidays are also occasions to be hennaed. There are also some healing ceremonies, like the Zar in North Africa, which include its use. A common practice seen in India and in the Islamic world is the pre-wedding tradition of ‘Night of Henna’ parties, like the Sudanese one described earlier. The art form of henna decorating has been practiced in Northern Africa, the Middle East, Southern Asia, and Europe and has been used by Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, Moslems, Christians, Pagans, and others; and varies from region to region. Varying designs have a different meaning for members of each culture, such as good health, fertility, wisdom, protection and spiritual enlightenment. The most popular traditional use is tied closely with weddings and bridal preparation; these designs tend to be the most ornate, covering the most area.

Depending on the culture, men may use it as well as women, usually for more symbolic purposes; masculine designs are generally very basic, simple and small in design. Arabic henna designs are abstract and less dense with designs featuring graceful, usually large, Floral and vine patterns on the hands and feet. Indian mehndi involves fine, thin lines for lacy, floral, paisley patterns with lines and dots; dense patterns covering entire hands, forearms, feet and shins. African henna patterns, usually simple, bold, large geometric shapes and designs with abstract symbols. Henna today, in non-traditional American & European pop-culture, is practiced by men and women alike. Mainstream America remains fascinated with body adornment and beauty practices from other cultures. Non-traditional design tends to be a mix of all of the above and is more personalized per individual. One might like a particular portion of an Indian design and want infused a symbol meaningful to him or her.

There are also picture symbols (as in astrological & mythical & Native American, etc.), religious or spiritual symbols (pentagrams, crosses, ankhs, Om’s, etc.), or script/writing from other cultures (runes, Chinese characters, Arabic, Tibetan or Sanskrit, etc.). Others choose designs purely for aesthetic purposes, like trailing vines or filigree patterns. The potential variety in design is practically limitless. Henna decorating will survive in traditional uses within specific ethnic cultures and within various communities in the United States. The richly beautiful art of henna knows no boundaries in culture, ethnicity, gender, religious or spiritual beliefs. In its many forms, henna decorating is truly a gift of beauty, touch and trust. 21 Mind Blowing Indian Mehndi Designs To Inspire You 21 Mind Blowing Indian Mehndi Designs To Inspire You December 28, 2016 Incnut Incnut Incnut 21 Mind Blowing Indian Mehndi Designs To Inspire You Shabby December 28, 2016 Mehendi is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Mendhika’.

Hindu Vedic texts reveal that it was a custom to use mehendi before an important religious ritual. It is the symbolic representation of the inner and outer sun. Since, Vedic customs are based on the idea ‘awakening the inner light.’ Mehendi is the local name for henna designs in the Indian subcontinent, since the idea of using henna to decorate hands originated in Arabia. Though the whole concept of mehendi is borrowed from other countries, it still has the Indian touch to it. Mehendi represents Indian culture, it is extensively used in decorating hands and feet during weddings and every other auspicious occasion you can think off! Recommended Video: Indian Mehndi Designs How to Make Henna Paste? Henna tree is also called the Egyptian Privet or Mignonette tree. It is a flowering plant that belongs to the species of Lawsonia Genus. The name ‘henna’ is derived from the Arabic word ‘Hinna’. Henna is a tall shrub that is indigenous to North Africa, Western and Southern Asia, Northern Australasia, semi-arid zones and tropical countries.

The plant produces the maximum dye when cultivated in temperatures within 35 to 45 degree centigrade and also during monsoons. The compound Lawsone present in the henna leaf is the actual dye. If you use whole henna leaves you will not get any colour. When fresh henna leaves are mashed along with some mild acidic liquid then the Lawsone molecules are released. The molecules bind the proteins in the skin thus leaving behind the beautiful red colour. Henna is usually sold as a dry powder made by drying, milling and sifting the leaves. The henna powder has to be blended with lemon juice and strong tea and other liquids with acidic content to get the silky smooth consistency. It is best to leave the henna paste to rest for six to twenty four hours to release the dye. Essential oils with high levels of monoterpene alcohol like tea tree, lavender, Cajeput and Eucalyptus if added to the henna paste will give you a darkcolour. Now the paste is ready to be applied to your palms and feet to create intricate designs. When the paste has dried off, dab it with sugar and lemon juice solution to increase the intensity of the colour.

Slowly, you will see the dried henna falling off from your hands leaving behind the orange hue, which will gradually become reddish brown. You can also scrape off the dried paste from the hand with a blunt edge of the knife. Be careful not to hurt yourself! Now Get 50% Off On Our Best Selling Mehndi Course - "Master The Art Of Mehndi In Just 4 Hours" Avoid using soaps and chlorinated water as it hinders the darkening of the colour. Steaming or warming your hands post application helps to darken the colour. Always make the henna paste at home to create your tattoos and mehendi. This will prevent you from harsh chemicals that are used in the readymade cones sold in the market. Historical use of Mehendi: A detailed study of history reveals that henna was used in the Arab world for more than five thousand years. Woman not only used henna to decorate their hands and feet with intricate designs, they used it to ward off evil, bring good luck and prosperity to their homes. There is a controversy regarding the origin of henna or mehendi as dyeing agent.

Botanist believes that henna plant or Lawsonia Inermis originated in Egypt and was used in the mummification of pharaohs. Henna was used to dye the hair and nails of the dead pharaohs and was believed that this would bring them good fortune in their next life. Evidence shows that henna was passed on to India by Egypt as early as 700 A.D. and it was used to decorate hands and feet. Henna was also used for medicinal purposes and to dye hair, cloth, leather and manes of horses and furs of other animals. Did you know that henna was used as a hair dye for almost 6,000 years? The daughters of pharaohs used henna to dye their hair red. It is said that opera singer Adelina Patti popularized the use of henna as a hair dye in Europe in 1800s.You can also apply the time-tested henna paste on your hair instead of the hair colours that have ammonia in it. Separate your hair strands and apply the paste with a brush while standing in front of the mirror. Make sure you don’t miss a single strand of hair.

This will give you the desired colour and at the same time leave your hair velvety soft. The Muslim tradition and religion makes the use of henna compulsory. The Sunnah (tradition of Prophet Mohammad) and Hadith (narration of the prophet) allows both men and women to use henna. Men use it to dye their hair and beards red. Women use henna to paint their finger nails and toe nails red. Henna in Muslim culture depicts feminity. Mehendi is done during joyous celebration like Eid, when the family gathers for a feast. The use of henna is prohibited during mourning in Islamic religious literature. In fact, the whole idea of mehendi originated in Muslim dominated Arabian countries and was gradually passed on to other cultures. The arrival of Islam in India popularized the henna culture among other communities and it also revived the use of henna that was popular in the Vedic ages with a new gusto! Here are Some Beautiful Indian Mehandi Designs that You Can Create at Home: 1.

Here is a beautiful Indian mehendi design with intricate details and floral motifs; this design is a combination of peacock and floral motifs, the fingers have heavy details while there is some gap left on the palm which is filled with tiny flowers. The patterns and motifs make the design unorthodox and completely different. Nevertheless this mehendi design is very unique andcontemporaryand looks lovely on the hands. 2. Now from a modern design, we move on to traditional Indian Bridal mehendi designs for hands. This design is apt for the bride to be and it can also be worn by close family members of the bride on the joyous occasion. This design has intricate traditional motifs like peacock, lace, bangles and flowers that cover the full arms of the bride making her look glamorous. It is best to usedark mehendi to make the design more bold and prominent. 3. Who said mehendi is just for the hands?Feet are also a great canvas for this natural art, and this design is a perfect example. It is very apt for auspicious occasions like weddings and engagement. The design is very beautiful for its delicate details that cover both the ankles and feet.

The design embraces the ankles like an anklet or a ‘payel’. The lace and floral motifs make the design look so beautiful. 4. This is very traditional mehendi design and at the same time it is unique unlike traditional Indian mehendi design that covers the tips. In this pattern the tips are left without any design. The motifs are also different on both hands making the design very unique. This intricate Indian mehendi design fills up the hands , thus making it ideal for a bride to be. 5. This design is very traditional and fills up the hands, without making it look messy. The slight gaps left in the design makes it looksimple and appealing. This mehendi design is apt for anyone. Even a bride’s mother also can opt for this design easily. [ Read: Beautify Your Nails With Nail Art ] 6. This Indian mehendi design is totally different from the traditional mehendi designs, and is a fun option to try if you are bored of traditional motifs. It contains intricate designs and various shapes; you can easily create this funky design at home. The hands also don’t look messy with this design, young college goers will simply like to flaunt it. 7.

For those who want minimal mehendi designs on their hands, this is a great option. The floral motifs at the center are drawn diagonally with designs on the individual fingers. The colorful stones are added to glam up the look. [ Read: Arabic Mehendi Designs ] 8. Are you bored of same old mehendi designs? If yes, then add some uniqueness to your mehendi with the use of different coloured stones. These stones are available in different sizes and shapes, and will make the designs look more colorful and vibrant. The big stones are placed in the middle of the circular designs and other tiny stones are placed all over the design to make it look bright and trendy. Use different shapes and colours to get the desired effect. Make sure the adhesive you use to stick these stones are skin friendly yet long lasting. Now Get 50% Off On Our Best Selling Mehndi Course - "Master The Art Of Mehndi In Just 4 Hours" 9. For those who love mehendi on their feet, here’s an intricate Indian mehendi design you can try on your feet. The design covers a good amount of space on your feet, thus making it ideal for brides to be.

You can also do this design for your sister or a close friend’s wedding.Make sure to wear a good shade of nail paint too. 10. If you love Indian mehndi designs full hands with intricate designs and details, then this one is well suited to your taste. The designs are very beautiful and it will fill up your entire hands. However, unlike traditional mehendi designs, the top of the fingers are left open for that unique touch.This is a great choice for the modern bride who loves a great mix of traditional and contemporary mehendi designs. 11. This is one of those simple Indian Mehendi designs for hands which would suit a bride quite well. The designs and the choice of red mehendi make the designs pop out very wellon the fair hands of the bride, while the floral motifs and other designs on the fingers make it lookmodern. 12. This mehendi design for the feet looks very apt for a bride, since there are a lot of details and intricate designs. The whole feet are decorated with detailed motifs to make this mehendi design look really beautiful. It is the front chequered patterns with tiny flowers in the middle that instantly grabs the attention! It also makes this design look very unique.

13. Mehendi designs can be extremely elaborate on the top of the hands too. Here is an example of it. This one has unique styles, with each finger showing different patterns.It covers the back of the hands and reaches up little above the wrist. The design on the wrist looks like a bangle with beautiful paisley and floral motifs. 14. Another design with colorful beads can be seen here. This one is apt for a modern bride or for anyone attending a social function. The stones and modern motifs make this simple Indian mehndi designs for hands very attractive and fun. It is the accessories that enhance this look. 15. If you want to create some mehendi designs on the feet, then try this one on the occasion of a wedding. It is a beautiful design and has a nice mixture of traditional and modern patterns. 16. A very simple mehendi design , this looks great on anyone and can be done for any type of occasion like weddings and festivals. There is also use of darker mehendi in this pattern to make the motifs more prominent and beautiful. 17. For those looking for medium patterns and unique style, this one is apt.

It includes the use of two types of mehendi like red and black mehendi. The black mehendi is used to do the borders while the red one is used to fill in. Designs like oval and heart shapes are done on the fingers to add a touch of uniqueness to this design. The use of beads in different colors is also included to add bling. 18. This design is unique for its distinct patterns and the dominant pattern of paisley is repeated on all sides. The big circular pattern in the middle makes the design really different. This design will make everyone go ‘Wow’ for its uniqueness. 19. This mehendi design has medium intricate motifs and all of these motifs are filled with glitters using glitter tubes. Different colours are used like red and blue. Colorful stones are used here to make the design more attractive to the youngsters. 20. This is a very simple looking yet intricately done design. The circular designs in the middle of the palm have microscopic details and are done finely. The patterns are delicately done in such a way that it doesn’t look messy.The tips of the fingers are darkened and the use of tiny flower motifs makes it different and attractive.

Using a dark henna paste for this mehndi design makes it look really prominent on your fair hands. [ Read: Arm Mehndi Designs ] 21. This mehendi design is a great option for those who want simple and colorful designs. It includes glitters as well as colorful beads to decorate the hands. It’s simple yet gorgeous mehendi design you can wear for evening parties. Mehendi is meant to accentuate your beautiful hands, fingers and feet. Choose the design you like best and start creating them. If you are calling a professional to do the designs for you, discuss the design you would like to do with him or her in advance. These designs are a great combination of traditional and modern motifs, it will surely make you the center of attraction. All eyes will be glued to your well decorated hands! I hope you enjoy trying these Indian mehandi designs for hands and feet. Don’t forget to share your pictures. Images: Google, Pinterest Beautiful Mehndi designs !! nice collection !! :) Shabby love all of them they really great designs !! :) nice article shabby :) Shabby Wow!! great designs!! like them!!

:) Shabby Thanks Priya :) Am glad you liked it Babitha lovely designs:) Shabby Hey Babitha , Thanks a lot . Do share with us if you try any of these designs :) Uthra I like no 19 the best!! It stands out!! Uthra Hi Tried to edit my previous entry, but couldn’t.. it s no 20 and not 19… aruna I like 5th Mehendi design, which is attractive and clear ambu sha I LUV INDIAN MEHNDI DESIGNS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH……<3 fathima Really Mind Blowing Y.O.L.O There all dead awesome in it I’m 10 and I can do mendi henna patterns designs ayesha malik I liked number 3 and 21 the most, very unique and pretty original designs ! sudharsana WOW !!! Raam Shrivastav Mehndi or Henna is muslim traditions. They have roots from Arabia. We hindus should avoid such Things, otherwise we are not shudhi anymore. Pray to bhagwan and stay stick to bindi and sindur. Forget and avoid such muslim shit.

tasleem this is not muslim shit o.k behave urself Anjana behave yourself Zafirah Doux ya true its for muslims but muslims didnt snatch it from others.n dont make people b like u on throwing ur bulshit ideas Kumari Sanghya beautyful mehandi Kamya Wowww…I just loved all the mehendi designs.They are really unique and lovely.I’m definitely going to try these designs.Thank you so much for this share :) Surya Tejaswini Designs are good rey…….Am going it try it today….:).But for few designs better use suitable background to elevate the look….:) nadifa The Art of Mehndi - Tutorial - So, What is Mehndi? So, what is mehndi? [ Back ] [ Home ] [ Forward ] Mehndi is the traditional art of henna painting in India and the Middle East. You may see it written as mehandi, mehendi, mendhi, henna, al-henna, and a myriad other names and spellings.

In recent times, United States henna artists have come to denote the art with the term "Henna Body Art." All of these words describe the same timeless art form, body painting for festive occasions. However you spell it, mehndi is pronounced meh-hen-di (with a soft, dental d sound like "thee"). The dye used to create the beautiful designs you see on my cousin's hands, pictured above, is made from dried, ground henna leaves and various other ingredients, which you can investigate further on my recipe page. Traditional Uses I specialize in understanding conceptions of henna in India, where it has been used since the 12th century. Many historical documents outline earlier use; for example, it is the Arabic Muslims who brought henna to India, where it has blossomed into its own unique art style. In Indian mehndi, a person applies designs traditionally to a woman's hands and feet. For particularly auspicious occasions, men apply mehndi as well. The most auspicious occasion warranting mehndi artwork is the Indian wedding, where both bride and bridegroom apply henna, as well as several members of the bridal party. Henna on any occasion symbolizes fertility.

At the wedding, henna artwork additionally symbolizes the love between husband and wife, and the stain's long-lasting nature symbolizes the enduring nature of their love. Mehndi came into use because of its cooling therapeutic effect in a hot climate, and, in India, it was also a way for a bride and groom to get to know one another before an arranged marriage. A variety of traditions underlie the use of mehndi, including wedding games and legends. For example, the groom's name is usually written somewhere within the bride's mehndi; if he cannot find his name within the intricate design, the bride is said to have the control in the marriage. Also, a dark mehndi design for both bride and groom signifies that the two will have a strong relationship. Within the past few years, mehndi has become popularized in the West by musicians and Hollywood personalities alike, and is now a quickly rising trend among women and men in world culture. Henna Dye Translating the word "henna" literally means "to become queen." The Indian name "mehndi" designates the process, the dye, and the stain of mehndi.

To make the dye, henna (mehndi) leaves are dried and finely ground. The powder that results is filtered two or more times through a fine nylon cloth. This process results in removing the coarse fibers from the powder, making what is left finer and easier to use. The artist then mixes this fine powder with an oil (such as eucalyptus, nilgiri, or mehndi oil) and other liquids (lemon, water, or tea), making a thick paste. This paste is applied to the wearer's hand in various designs, which can range from large, thick patterns to Moroccan geometric patterns to traditional Indian paisleys and lace-like drawings. All depends upon the skill of the artist and the style of designs used. A solution of lemon juice and sugar is then applied to the drying mehndi to allow it to remain stuck to the skin and to improve the dying process. After 2 - 12 hours, during which the mehndi dries, the wearer scrapes the paste off to reveal the designs, which resemble tattoos and last 1-3 weeks on the skin.

While the color of the mehndi dye is a deep shade of green, once removed the dye leaves a color varying from light orange to a deep brownish- black. Be sure to keep this in mind as you look at photographs throughout this page. A word of warning before we continue: never use black henna. The black designs you see to the left show skin with the henna paste still applied. Silk & Stone - Origin and History of Henna Origin of Henna The art of henna (called mehndi in Hindi & Urdu) has been practiced for over 5000 years in Pakistan, India, Africa and the Middle East. There is some documentation that it is over 9000 years old. Because henna has natural cooling properties, people of the desert, for centuries, have been using henna to cool down their bodies. They make a paste of henna and soak their palms and soles of the feet in it to get an air conditioning affect. They feel its cooling sensation throughout the body for as long as the henna stain remains on their skin. Initially, as the stain faded away, it left patterns on the skin surface which led to ideas to make designs for decorative purposes.

In the ancient Egyptian times mummies wore henna designs and it is documented that Cleopatra herself used henna for decorative purposes. Henna was not only a popular adornment for the rich but the poor, who could not afford jewelry, used it to decorate their bodies as well. Henna in the West Today people all over the world have adopted the ancient traditions of adorning their bodies with the beautiful natural artwork created from the henna plant. It became a very popular form of temporary body decoration in the 90's in the US and has become a growing trend ever since. Celebrities like Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Yasmine Bleeth, Liv Tyler, Xena, and many others proudly adorn their bodies with henna and show them off in public, movies, videos, etc. People throughout the west have adopted the eastern tradition in their lives by having their hands and feet painted for weddings , bellies painted while in pregnancy , heads adorned with henna while going through chemotherapy, scars camouflaged to make them unnoticeable, etc.

Cultural & Medicinal Uses Henna is used for many reasons including: self-expression; celebration of special occasions like weddings, holidays & birthdays; inspiration; reminders; beauty; cosmetic treatments; medicinal uses; blessings & well-being; to be part of an ancient tradition; and an alternative or precursor to a tattoo. The Henna Plant Henna (Lawsonia inermis, also known as hina, henna tree, mignonette tree, Egyptian privet) is a flowering plant that grows 12-15 feet high and comes from the sole species of the Lawsonia genus. The English name "henna" comes from the Arabic (ḥinnā). The name henna also refers to the dye prepared from the henna plant and the art of temporary tattooing based on those dyes. Henna has been used for centuries to dye skin, hair, and fingernails, as well as fabrics including silk, wool, and leather. Henna henna was used for cosmetic purposes in the Roman Empire, Convivencia-period Iberia and Ancient Egypt, as well as other parts of North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Near East and South Asia.

It can be found in other hot climates like Pakistan, India and Australia. The plant grows best in heat up to 120F degrees and contains more dye at these temperatures. It wilts in temperatures below 50F degrees. It also grows better in dry soil than damp soil. The leaves are in opposite decussate pairs and vary in sizes from approximately 2-4 cm. long. The flowers are fragrant, produced in conical panicles 1040 cm long, each flower 5 mm diameter, with four white petals. The fruit is a dry capsule 68 mm diameter, containing numerous 12.5 mm seeds. The henna plant contains lawsone which is a reddish-orange dye that binds to the keratin (a protein) in our skin and safely stains the skin. The stain can be from pale orange to nearly black depending on the quality of the henna and how well ones skin takes it. A good henna, fresh from hot & dry climates, will stain the darkest. For body decorations, the leaves of the henna plant are dried, crushed into a fine powder, and made into a creamy paste using a variety of techniques.

This paste is then applied to the skin, staining the top layer of skin only. In its natural state it will dye the skin an orange or brown color. Although it looks dark green (or dark brown depending on the henna) when applied, this green paste will flake off revealing an orange stain. The stain becomes a reddish-brown color after 1-3 days of application. The palms and the soles of the feet stain the darkest because the skin is the thickest in these areas & contain the most keratin. The farther away from hands and feet the henna is applied, the lesser the color. The face area usually stains the lightest. The designs generally last from 1-4 weeks on the skin surface depending on the henna, care and skin type. Henna works on all skin types and colors. It looks just as beautiful on dark skin as light skin but because some people skin may take the dye better than others, it can look more prominent on one and not as much on another (even lighter skin). But nevertheless, henna is a symbol of beauty, art, and happiness and is meant for EVERYONE!

Because henna acts as a sunblock, there is an added benefit to having henna designs in the summer. For those who love to get a tan It leaves tan lines! In order to benefit from this, it is best to get a henna design, let its natural color stay on for 3-5 days and then go and get a tan. This way you can enjoy the natural henna color on your body, the henna color with the tan, and then tan lines in the shapes of the design (once the henna fades away)! The tan lines last as long as the actual tan! Medicinal Properties Henna is considered an herb, and has long been known to have healing qualities. It is used topically and usually not ingested or inhaled. In ancient times it has been applied to the skin surface for such ailments as headaches, stomach pains, burns (including sunburns), open wounds, as a fever reducer, athlete's foot and even the prevention of hair loss . It is also a sunblock and has been used on the noses of animals to prevent sunburn. Another use of henna would be to apply it to goat skin bags, after they have been salt-cured.

It "insect-proofs" or "moth-proofs" the bags by making the skin poisoned or inedible. Traditions Henna is traditionally used for special occasions like holidays, birthdays and weddings in Africa, Pakistan, India, and the Middle East. The most popular of the traditions is the Mehndi (henna) Night where the bride, her family, relatives and friends get together to celebrate the wedding to come. The night is filled with games, music and dance performances that may have been rehearsed for months prior to the event by those closest to the bride while the bride gets extensive henna patterns done on her hands and feet that go to her elbows and sometimes, knees. The bridal patterns can take hours and are often done by multiple henna artists . The guests will usually receive small designs (tattoos) on the backs of their hands as well. Today, brides prefer to have their henna done prior to the mehndi night so that they can enjoy the festivities and also have a deeper stain by the wedding day. Tradition holds that for as long as the henna stain appears on the bride, she doesn't have to do any housework!

Also, the darker the stain the better the marriage and the better the mother-in-law will be! So you can imagine why the bride would want the stain to come our dark and last as long as possible! Sign up for our newsletter Contact Info Africa Stage: Team Dispatch - October 13, 1999 Henna: Patterns Woven through Time Moroccan culture is laden with symbolism and traditions from the past. Within this context of Moroccan culture is a ritual with over 5,000 years of history. Henna, an intricate form of body art, is deeply embedded in Morocco's past, as well as its present. Henna is worn by Moroccan women of all backgrounds: young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural, educated and non-educated and traditional and "modern." Henna is a temporary, natural skin dye applied topically to the body. Henna is similar to a tattoo, but is not permanent. Henna art and design involves no breaking of the skin and is both painless and safe. Depending on the individual's body chemistry, the dye will fade in 1-4 weeks. The color may vary from shades of red to brown, again depending on each individual's body chemistry.

Today's popular culture has witnessed a renewal of this ancient ritual. The trend has caught on with many Western musicians and movie stars. Although a "new craze" in pop culture, henna is anything but new. The history of henna is rich and far-reaching. Vocabulary Box Topically - in medical contexts this means something applied to the skin Aesthetic - having appreciation for beauty Tracing back over 5,000 years, henna has been used to heal, condition, cleanse and decorate the skin. The origin of henna is not known for certain. Centuries of migration and cultural interaction make it difficult to trace the exact origins. Henna is most commonly used in Muslim and Hindu cultures. In Morocco, the tradition of henna use may be a product of Berber culture . Moroccan history is interwoven with the history of the Berbers. In addition, it is a culture with a great many ritualistic beliefs and practices. However, as mentioned, it is difficult to trace the exact origin of henna in Morocco.

Translation Of Symbols (not applicable to all cultures) Fish - water, fertility, prosperity Bird - messenger between heaven and earth, destiny Eagle - power Lizard and Salamander - seeker of the sun, the human soul seeking light Snake - fertility, healing powers Turtle - saints, protection against evil eye Triangle (eye), Inverted Triangle (eyebrow), Diamond - eye, protection against the evil eye Hand, Number 5 - protection against evil For more information about henna symbols, refer to Moroccan Henna Information Henna comes from a small shrub, hawsonia inermis. The plant grows in tropical climates throughout Africa and Asia. The leaves are dried and crushed to form a powder. A mixture of eucalyptus oil and lemon juice is mixed with the powder to form a paste, which is applied to the skin. Research on the original purpose of henna has led to a theory of functional use. Henna may have initially been applied as a method of cooling the body temperature. Many believe that "form followed function," meaning a form of body decoration developed out of a medical and healing function.

The result of the original functional use of henna is a ritualistic art form: rich with symbolic meaning and cultural significance, as well as aesthetic beauty. Moroccan Wedding Rituals For centuries, elaborate henna has been applied to Moroccan brides. The night before the wedding, the bride and other women gather together for the henna ritual. The bride receives the most elaborate designs, while the other women are often patterned with lesser designs, covering only small portions of the body. Within the bride's henna design is often found the name of the groom. Further, a bride is not expected to perform any housework until her henna has faded. The wedding henna ritual has a deeper purpose than mere aesthetic beauty. During the evening of the "henna party," the older, married women share the secrets of marriage with the bride-to-be. Moroccan women continue the tradition to this day. However, there are some women in Morocco who refuse to wear henna in an effort to move in a more "modern" direction. This is not to say that women with henna are not "modern," but rather demonstrating the various views of henna within the Moroccan context. The use of henna differs between cultures.

Depending on the culture, various names are used to refer to this ancient ritual: henna, Al-Khanna, Jamaica Mignonette, Egyptian Privet and Smooth Lawsonia. In Arabic the art form of applying henna is called henna, while in India it is referred to as mehndi. The actual aesthetics of the designs tend to differ from region to region as well. Arabic henna uses large designs with floral patterns, applied to the hands and feet. Indian mehndi patterns are often fine, thin lines creating lacy, floral and paisley patterns, covering the entire hands, forearms, feet and shins. African henna, on the other hand, is characterized by large, bold geometric designs and patterns. Similar designs have different meanings for each culture. Among the many symbolic meanings drawn from henna designs are good health, spiritual enlightenment, fertility, wisdom and protection. In Morocco, everyday patterns are often simple, while more intricate designs are applied for special occasions. Weddings, the birth of a child, festivals, feast days and other days of traditional significance would call for more elaborate henna. In general, there has been a renewal in the use of henna.

For some, henna is used for cosmetic purposes only. However, for others it is a piece of history, tradition and culture, as well as a beautiful art form. Weaving in and out of Moroccan culture and tradition, henna is deeply symbolic of Morocco - both past and present. Team New Amazing Indian Mehndi Designs 2016-2017 | BestStylo.com 3 Comments New Amazing Indian Mehndi Designs 2016-2017 Mehndi is indeed one of the most traditional and historical ornament which is common throughout the world so we have brought together new amazing Indian mehndi designs 2016-2017. Henna is considered to be a sign of happiness and freshness. It is used by women for decorating their hands to look more gorgeous. Since ages, people have been using mehndi for multiple purposes in every portion of the world. Numerous beautiful and unique henna designs are made by the Indian women on their various religious occasions and other festivals like Diwali, holy and navratri etc. They use Indian cone mehndi for this purpose to make different beautiful and elegant patterns on their hands.

Latest Indian mehndi designs 2016 are ready to be decorated on your hands on coming traditional occasions. A nicely drawn henna print makes your hands more elegant. Since the beginning of henna, many exclusive styles and patterns have been introduced in the way mehndi is applied on hands. Best Indian Mehndi Designs for Hands and Feet 2016-2017 The Indian henna designs 2016 are based on fine styles that look elegant and classy on any occasion like Diwali, wedding ceremony, eid, navratri etc. The sophisticated patterns look perfect on the hands or feet of a bride. Some of the best Indian bridal mehndi designs 2016 are made by applying thick coat of henna to make the Arabian patterns or Moroccan patterns. These patterns look fabulous for brides and are best made by the professionals who have skills of applying henna and making out good patterns of it. The simple Indian mehndi designs 2016 are also using the glitters of different colors to add some shine and glamor to mehndi. The designs having glitters look very dramatic and are most suitable to be applied on a bride’s hand.

Small diamonties can also be pasted on the design for enhancing the beauty of design. Some of the styles used in Indian mehndi designs for 2016 include delicate, thick, carries, peacock and floral patterns. All these designs are conventional as well as spectacular and make the newest designs of henna in India. See Here ⇒ Latest Peacock Henna Designs 2016 . Elegant Floral Indian Mehndi Going with dark green Indian henna always looks elegant and it shows higher decency perspective. Mehndi is all time favorite for women because it surely enhances beauty. Green henna looks great on hands, but if you will wear them on wedding ceremony or on any religious occasion, you might feel yourself more elegant. Likewise, you can make it perfect using diamonties and glitters. Shaded Henna Design for Brides Shaded mehndi designs with bright red instant henna is a perfect contrast. Indeed, it is a perfect mehndi style for Asian brides to have on! Be as much creative as you can. You can wear it on eid days too as it is full of elegance! Enhance the beauty of your hands by wearing bangles.

Glitter Indian Mehndi Design You can go for a fascinating eid glitter mehndi design 2016 if you are supposed to make yourself more amazing, classy and appealing. It will not demand a lot of practice, though! You can make it a combination of two different shades by using two different glitter gel shades on your amazing Indian mehndi. Big Rhinestones On Indian Mehndi It’s one of the easy Indian mehndi designs for beginners 2016 . Use golden shimmers and blue stones to get this mesmerizing and endearing design. It can be done with the glitter gel for henna design. Lay common brown henna as the base and then put blue rhinestones in the middle of flowers. When it dries off, do not remove it as it appears beautiful this way. Finish with a perfect detailing with golden glitters. Black Indian Henna Design 2016 Here comes the most beautiful and classy pattern that suits nearly everyone! This one emerges as one of the most pretty and catchy Indian black mehndi designs 2016 . You can easily get it done with the help of instant mehndi that leaves color without any long time.

Concentrate on the procedure and you are done with the most enchanting pattern. Indian Arabic Henna Design for Hands Apply thick henna on the palm with a light hand to make your design perfect. How it’s done? Use green henna and follow the pattern below. Give a finishing using stones. You can draw leaves and petals on the wrists to get the perfect one. Draw the design exquisitely to get a perfect, flawless look. Amazing Indian Bridal Henna Design Shimmers appear amazing on henna but when it comes to palm mehndi, they are less likely appreciable! You can make your bridal mehndi enchanting even without diamonties. Draw the patterns. Put the style neatly and fill in the gaps with green henna. Give your hands a perfect look by trying this one. See Here ⇒ Latest Bridal Mehndi Designs 2016 . Floral and Heart Henna Design Start with the simple procedure, proceed it above the wrists by drawing hearts. Use a bit dark and thick pattern to give a bridal look and wear it on the wedding occasion or on any religious juncture. You can proceed it accordingly. Use gels over to get the unblemished and flawless appearance.

Diagonal Floral Bail Henna Art Are you the one who desires best Indian mehndi design? Indian film actresses are not the only one who can wear perfect designs, being a henna admirer, you can do that too! You can also be the one by using simple and beautiful techniques. Use dark instant one with light green for shading. Indian Diamond Mehndi for Palms This one is the pretty Indian mehndi design that is elegant, beautiful and classy. Instant mehndi can give you this desired thing. Draw diamonds and petals with booti. It can be applied easily to get the best possible results. And that’s not something difficult to do as it requires a little effort but a lot of practice! See Here ⇒ Latest Pakistani Mehndi Designs 2016 . Indian Tikki Style Henna Design Do you desire a perfectly detailed henna design? For sure, it suits everyone. You can perfectly make them beautiful using your creativity with the blend of these ideas! Just try this mehndi design and use stones over them. Finish with the glitters to make your work more engaging and appealing one. See Here ⇒ Round Tikki Style Henna Designs 2016 .

Pure Net Bridal Henna Design Do you want this net henna Indian design 2016? It’s appealing and easy! Start with the simple procedure, proceed it above the wrists. Use a bit dark and thin pattern to give a bridal look and wear it on the wedding occasion or on any special day. You can proceed it accordingly. Use gels over to get the flawless appearance after when it gets dried. Half Circle and Petal Design Start with the simple procedure, make a half circle and fill it with flowers and petals. Use a bit dark and thin pattern to give a perfect finishing and you can surely wear it on the coming eid occasion. You can take this one above the wrist. Draw small sized four petal flowers in the gaps. You can use small diamonties on mehndi to get an unblemished appearance. Floral Peacock Glitter Mehndi Art You can wear henna on your hands with a minimal amount of glitter. If it’s your wedding, try this design to get the perfect and flawless bridal look. Again we have a splendid combo to have on! Go for this baby pink and gold enchanting and attractive pattern!

It serves as the most catchy bridal glitter mehndi designs 2016 . Net Pattern Indian Henna Style You can get the perfect pattern with the dark brown one. All you need is an idea that can make you emerge with the flabbergasting and beautiful appearance. Just make use of the decent brown henna and gold shimmers when it dries off! Indeed, it is the beautiful one to have on occasions. Indian Bridal Mehndi Design for Feet Feet, with a perfectly detailed mehndi appear amazing and gorgeous. You can perfectly make them beautiful using your creativity with the blend of these ideas! Just concentrate on the following image, put the mehndi design this way and use glitter gels over them. Finish with the stones to make yourself more glamorous. Floral Henna Design for Feet and Legs Indian floral mehndi designs 2016 are comparatively thicker yet they look amazing and more traditional. The designs mostly liked in Pakistan are the combination of both styles which gives a unique and different look. Try this one and be the most stunning one!

Beautiful Indian Mehndi Designs 2016 Picture Gallery Here is the gallery of some of the best Indian mehndi designs introduced for year 2016 that are most distinctive and beautiful ones. They are the most famous designs of henna which are traditional as well as modern. Apart from hands, henna patterns are also perfect to be applied on feet to make feet also appear marvelous. Take a glance on the images below and get inspired!! Easy Henna Design- arabic mehandi Muslim men and women use mehndi as a dye for their hairs. In rural areas of indo pak both men and women apply henna on their scalp to dye hairs after dying hairs which gives reddish tint. In Islam it is considered as “sunnah”. In Islam it is encouraged that Muslim women dye their nails with heena so that their hands could be distinguished from the hands of a male . In Africa it is common to apply heena on their nails. latest Mehndi desins of 2015 Mehndi or Heena is very popular among teen girls and mature women especially in Arab, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh and as well as other Muslim countries of the world.

{ Fancy Clutches for Girls } The word derived form Sanskrit word mendhika. Mehandi was used in earliest Hinduism and we find it in Hindu ritual book called vedic. Pakistani henna. latest mehandi designs- They are readymade, and due to its shape like cone it helps to make beautiful mehndi designs . Normally for mehndi designs heena cone are used. In rural areas of India and Pakistan women, grind fresh mehandi leaves on grinding stones with added oil which though, not as refined as professionally prepaid heena cones, bring much darker colors. The reason of its popularity for making tattoos henna tattoos is its temporary nature, and it can be removed easily after some days. It is easy to apply on legs arms hands and other parts of human body with out pain and looks more beautiful than other tattoos. » Pouplar posts*

Question: What are the patterns called which are applied to the hands of Indian women using Henna?
Answer: Mehndi